Investigators may have uncovered factors that may impact the quality of cancer care and outcomes among patients with metastatic pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma, according to a recent study published by Tsilimigras et al in JNCCN–Journal of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network. Study Methods...
The results of a longitudinal cohort study published in JAMA suggest that frailty following adjuvant chemotherapy may be associated with long-term survival among older women with nonmetastatic breast cancer. Women who experienced rapid frailty progression, or nonresilience, following their...
Researchers have developed, and now validated, a biomarker test to predict for genitourinary (GU) adverse events induced by stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) in patients with prostate cancer, according to the results of a study published by Kishan et al in Clinical Cancer Research. The test,...
A high proportion of Medicare beneficiaries cross state borders to access cancer care, particularly patients residing in rural areas, according to a recent study published by Moen et al in JAMA Network Open. The findings have significant implications for telehealth policies and physician licensure, ...
In a U.S. population–based cohort study reported in JAMA Network Open, Bari et al identified patterns of immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) use and survival outcomes among patients with metastatic colorectal cancer seen in routine clinical practice. The investigators stated: “…ICIs have been...
A novel cell therapy approach using cord blood–derived natural killer (NK) cells precomplexed with the CD30/CD16A bispecific antibody AFM13 may be safe and generate responses in patients with refractory CD30-positive lymphomas, according to a recent study published by Nieto et al in Nature...
Many patients who are eligible for lung cancer screening do not receive it, but do receive preventative screenings for other cancer types, according to the results of a new study published by Potter et al in JAMA. Background Although lung cancer screening is recommended for certain individuals...
Postmastectomy radiation therapy may be significantly shortened for many patients planning breast reconstruction, according to data from a large phase III trial (RT CHARM, Alliance A221505).1 Investigators reported that hypofractionated (short-course) radiation therapy was found to be noninferior...
In a U.K. trial (TRANSLATE) reported in The Lancet Oncology, Bryant et al found that local anesthetic transperineal (LATP) prostate biopsy detected more Gleason Grade Group (GGG) ≥ 2 prostate cancer compared with transrectal ultrasound (TRUS)-guided biopsy in previously biopsy-naive individuals who ...
In a single-center study reported in JAMA Network Open, Alsavaf et al attempted to identify patient characteristics and treatment outcomes of nasopharyngeal carcinoma in the United States, a nonendemic region of the disease. Study Details The retrospective cohort study included patients with...
Proton beam therapy and intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) were found to offer equivalent quality-of-life outcomes for patients with localized prostate cancer, according to data from the PARTIQoL trial. This phase III trial showed no measurable differences between the two approaches in...
Surgery may not be necessary for patients with early-stage breast cancer who had a complete response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy and standard radiation treatment, according to new data from researchers at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. Five-year results from the phase II...
An increasing proportion of the U.S. public may be aware of the link between consuming alcohol and the elevated risk of later developing cancer, according to a recent survey conducted by the University of Pennsylvania’s Annenberg Public Policy Center (APPC). Background On January 3, 2025, Vivek...
Chemotherapy followed by local excision may be effective in patients with node-negative low rectal adenocarcinoma, according to new findings presented by Buettner et al at the 2025 Society of Surgical Oncology (SSO) Annual Meeting. Background The current standard of care among most patients with...
In a study reported as a research letter in JAMA Oncology, Caturegli et al attempted to identify smoking status of patients diagnosed with cancer in the United States in 2023. Study Details In the cross-sectional study, the smoking status of patients diagnosed with cancer in 2023 was collected by...
Two recent studies have elucidated the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on colorectal cancer screenings and diagnostic colonoscopies in Central Indiana. The findings—reported by Kumar et al in PLOS One and Richter et al in Preventive Medicine Reports—contribute to the compendium of knowledge on...
A novel machine learning model may outperform standard statistical models in identifying and stratifying transplantation risk among patients with myelofibrosis, according to a recent study published by Hernández-Boluda et al in Blood. Background Although there are several therapies available to...
The outcomes from the phase III ENGOT-OV43/GOG-3036/KEYLYNK-001 trial in advanced BRCA-nonmutated ovarian cancer indicate a statistically significant and clinically meaningful benefit for the PD-1 inhibitor pembrolizumab and chemotherapy, followed by pembrolizumab plus maintenance with the PARP...
The clinical application of BCR::ABL1 digital polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing may reliably quantify stable deep molecular remission in patients with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML), which could help determine when maintenance therapy may be discontinued successfully, according to a recent...
Breast-conserving therapy, including radiation therapy, could lead to a progressive reduction in breast size over time among women with early-stage breast cancer, according to a recent study published by Becker et al in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. Background Breast-conserving...
In a study reported in JAMA Oncology, Yeh et al found evidence of accelerated aging in survivors of childhood cancers through the observed increased risk and early onset of age-related diseases. Study Details The study focused on data from the Childhood Cancer Survivor Study and national databases...
Current standard chemoradiation therapy remains the most effective treatment for selected patients with human papillomavirus (HPV)-positive oropharyngeal cancer, based on the results of the NRG-HN005 trial. Researchers have halted this large, randomized phase II/III trial after patients in the...
Investigators found that individuals who engaged in light- and moderate-to-vigorous–intensity physical activity daily had a lower risk of developing cancer compared with those who were more sedentary, according to a recent study published by Shreves et al in the British Journal of Sports Medicine....
A novel method involving noninvasive brain imaging technology and a nondrug treatment that incorporates virtual reality (VR) may aid in objectively measuring cancer-related pain and treating it effectively without opioids in patients with cancer, according to a recent study published by Shafiei et...
In a Dutch noninferiority phase III trial (SANO) reported in The Lancet Oncology, van der Wilk et al found that active surveillance was noninferior to standard surgery in terms of 2-year overall survival among patients with esophageal cancer who had a clinical complete response after neoadjuvant...
On March 28, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) expanded the indication for lutetium Lu-177 vipivotide tetraxetan (Pluvicto) to include adults with prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA)-positive metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) who have been treated with androgen ...
The Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy announced the appointment of Karen E. Knudsen, MBA, PhD, as the new Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the institute. A visionary leader in oncology, health-care delivery, scientific innovation, and strategic transformation, Dr. Knudsen will take on her...
On March 28, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the PD-L1 inhibitor durvalumab (Imfinzi) with gemcitabine and cisplatin as neoadjuvant treatment, followed by single-agent durvalumab as adjuvant treatment following radical cystectomy, for adults with muscle-invasive bladder ...
Investigators have found that nearly 50% of women diagnosed with ovarian cancer may not be receiving the genetic testing that could help guide their treatment and potentially improve outcomes, according to a recent report conducted by the Ovarian Cancer Research Alliance (OCRA) and Komodo Health....
In a Scottish study (TEMPO) reported in The Lancet, Robb et al found that a behavioral intervention adding a deadline for fecal immunochemical testing (FIT) return in the invitation letter to FIT colorectal cancer screening resulted in superior uptake of testing. Study Details In the trial, 40,000...
In a study reported in JAMA Oncology, Agusti et al found that the addition of chemotherapy to adjuvant radiotherapy was not associated with improved overall survival in patients with intermediate-risk cervical cancer. Study Details The study involved National Cancer Database data on patients with a ...
Guest Editor’s Note: Several epidemiologic studies have shown an inverse association between healthy dietary patterns and the risk of chronic diseases including cancer. Patients are often interested in exploring different dietary interventions throughout the cancer continuum. However, concrete...
Waiting more than 42 days postdiagnosis to undergo surgery could increase the risk of cancer-related mortality among patients with certain breast cancer subtypes, according to a recent study published by Salewon et al in Breast Cancer Research. Background Hormone receptor–positive and HER2-negative ...
In an individual patient data meta-analysis reported in The Lancet Oncology, Kishan et al found that isodose and dose-escalated moderately hypofractionated radiotherapy exhibited similar efficacy vs conventionally fractionated radiotherapy in patients with localized prostate cancer. They also...
Waist circumference may be a more effective risk marker for the development of obesity-related cancers than body mass index (BMI) in male but not female patients, according to new findings presented at the European Congress on Obesity (ECO) 2025. Background Body size and excess...
In a phase Ia/Ib study (Beamion LUNG-1) reported in the Journal of Clinical Oncology, Heymach et al evaluated the safety profile and activity of zongertinib in patients with HER2-altered solid tumors. Zongertinib is a novel HER2-selective tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) that spares EGFR, thereby...
Biopsies guided by high-resolution ultrasound may be as effective as those using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in diagnosing prostate cancer, an international clinical trial has shown. The technology, called micro-ultrasound, is cheaper and easier to use than MRI. It could significantly speed up ...
This is Part 3 of PI3K Inhibition Strategies for HR-Positive/HER2-Negative Metastatic Breast Cancer, a three-part video roundtable series. Scroll down to watch the other videos from this roundtable. In this video, Drs. Adam Brufsky, Heather McArthur, and Seth Wander discuss the treatment of...
This is Part 2 of PI3K Inhibition Strategies for HR-Positive/HER2-Negative Metastatic Breast Cancer, a three-part video roundtable series. Scroll down to watch the other videos from this roundtable. In this video, Drs. Adam Brufsky, Heather McArthur, and Seth Wander discuss how to approach the...
Two doses of a simple tuberculosis (TB) vaccination after surgery helps the immune system fight cancer cells and may improve patient outcomes among those with non–muscle-invasive bladder cancer, according to a pilot study of 40 patients. Initial results from the RUTIVAC-1 Trial were presented by...
A simple urine test could accurately detect clear cell renal cell carcinoma (RCC) recurrence at an early stage, potentially sparing patients from undergoing invasive scans and enabling quicker access to treatment, according to new findings presented by Dabestani et al at the European Association of ...
A novel technique designed to improve the precision of prostate cancer surgery could preserve erectile function in nearly twice as many men compared with standard surgery, according to new findings presented by Almeida-Magana et al at the European Association of Urology (EAU) Congress 2025...
Today’s oncologists are blessed with an abundance of therapies for HER2-positive early breast cancer, but this comes with the challenge of selecting among them. At the 2025 Miami Breast Cancer Conference, Sara A. Hurvitz, MD, FACP, offered insight on common clinical scenarios. Dr. Hurvitz is...
A study conducted by Stansel et al, which was published in the journal Clinical Journal of Oncology Nursing, highlighted the potential of virtual reality therapy to reduce patient stress, pain, and negative affect during chemotherapy sessions. The findings also appeared to support its delivery and...
Physician burnout has increased significantly in the past decade, and organizational strategies are vital to improve physician well-being, according to new research from ASCO. This compilation includes reports on the state of professional well-being among oncologists in 2023, burnout trends among...
Arvinas, Inc. and Pfizer Inc. recently announced results from the randomized phase III VERITAC-2 clinical trial (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier NCT05654623) evaluating vepdegestrant monotherapy vs fulvestrant in adults with estrogen receptor–positive, HER2-negative advanced or metastatic breast...
Janet L. Abrahm, MD, FACP, FAAHPM, FASCO, has spent more than half of her oncology career as a palliative care physician. After receiving her medical degree from the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), in 1973, Dr. Abrahm completed her internship and residency at Massachusetts General...
“Care more particularly for the individual patient than for the special features of the disease.” —Sir William Osler Chronic lymphocytic leukemia/small lymphocytic lymphoma (CLL/SLL) is the most common leukemia in the Western hemisphere. The majority of patients who require treatment are older than ...
In the phase III JCOG1411/FLORA trial of patients with untreated advanced-stage, very low–tumor burden follicular lymphoma, rituximab induction delayed disease progression to high–tumor burden follicular lymphoma and delayed the initiation of cytotoxic chemotherapy, according to Japanese...
This is Part 2 of EGFR-Mutant NSCLC: Treatment Considerations for Early-Stage Disease, a three-part video roundtable series. Scroll down to watch the other videos from this roundtable. In this video, Drs. Stephen Liu, Tina Cascone, and Susan Scott discuss the treatment of resectable EGFR-mutant...